In a few sentences, describe your post-Biola work/life journey.

I moved to D.C. shortly after graduation and interned at a nonprofit doing editing and administrative work. I worked there for a few years before deciding I wanted to try comedy and writing, at which point I moved back to Los Angeles. Now I’m doing urban planning stuff at an engineering firm and pursuing comedy on the side.

What's your current occupation, and in what ways did getting a degree in English prepare you for your job?

I’m currently a project assistant in urban planning, which I had no idea you could even do as an English major until I saw the job posting! And on nights and weekends, I’m performing improv comedy and writing. Concerning comedy: English prepared me in every way ever. I learned how to write and how to see things from fresh angles. Plus, let’s be honest, the whole English department is pretty hilarious. Concerning urban planning: English taught me how to project manage, read quickly and thoroughly, answer coworkers’ grammar questions (I promise that if anyone finds out you were an English major, they will ask you their writing questions forever), and think about the micro and macro simultaneously. It also taught me how to be constantly curious and interested, which makes you good at your job and generally sort of happy, no matter what you’re doing!

What was a favorite class or experience you had while a Biola English major?

I liked Advanced Composition a lot. It’s as close to a writers' room as you can get. I liked learning to collaborate on sentences. Also, Dr. Kleist’s Shakespeare class was challenging and incredible. It really stuck with me.

What about life after college was most surprising to you?

How many options you have! Truly. While I was disappointed that no one paid me to write a novel immediately after I graduated, it’s been really wonderful seeing how many sorts of jobs I am actually qualified to do. It’s a big world.

What advice would you give to a current Biolan majoring in English? Or what's something you did in college that later helped you professionally?

Become friends with your professors. They are so smart and you’ll refer to them for years to come as friends, mentors, and references. Specialize in something, if you can. I edited for the Inkslinger and even though I wasn’t very good at it, I learned a ton and employers were more willing to give me editing work with that on my resume.

What are you reading?

The Hills of Chianti: The Story of a Tuscan Winemaking Family, in Seven Bottles, by Piero Antinori.